The intraseasonal oscillations are a naturally occurring component of our coupled
ocean-atmosphere system. They significantly affect the atmospheric circulation throughout
the global Tropics and subtropics, and also strongly affect the wintertime jet stream and
atmospheric circulation features over the North Pacific and western North America.

As a result, they have an important impact on storminess and temperatures over the U.S.
During the summer these oscillations have a modulating effect on hurricane activity in
both the Pacific and Atlantic basins. Thus, it is very important to monitor and predict
intraseasonal activity, since this activity has profound implications for weather and
short-term climate variability through the year.